Niall Patterson

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Niall Patterson (born 2 January 1962) is a former Irish sportsperson. He played senior hurling with Antrim from 1979 until 1992.

Niall Patterson was born in Cloughmills in the parish of Dunloy, County Antrim. He started hurling when he was just nine years-old, beginning his career as a full-back. He moved back to the goalkeeping position when he joined the under-12 team, and later played in that position with Loughgiel Shamrocks. Patterson's skills were quickly spotted by Antrim's inter-county selectors, and he joined the minor team in the later 1970s.

Patterson moved straight onto the senior team in 1979, making his debut against Kilkenny in the National Hurling League. Two years later in 1981 he collected an All-Ireland "B" Hurling Championship medal. This was a special competition for weaker hurling counties. A second All-Ireland "B" medal followed for Patterson in 1982, before finishing off the year by winning an Antrim SHC title with Loughgiel Shamrocks. At the beginning of 1983 Ulster had one of its most famous victories in hurling. In the All-Ireland club hurling final Loughgiel Shamrocks defeated St. Rynagh's of Offaly to win the title. Patterson had a huge role to play in the victory, making many spectacular saves.

By the late 1980s the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship was revived, with Patterson's Antrim side winning the title in 1989. Antrim subsequently went on to shock the hurling world by defeating Offaly by 4-15 to 1-15 in the All-Ireland semi-final. In another remarkable day for Ulster hurling, the Antrim team were accorded a guard of honour by Offaly following the game. Antrim subsequently met Tipperary in the All-Ireland final, their first appearance in the championship decider since 1943, however, the side were well beaten. There was some consolation at the end of the year as Pattrerson won a second Antrim SHC medal. In 1990 he captured another Ulster title, however, his team were subsequently defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final. Patterson made it three Ulster titles in-a-row in 1991, however, Antrim faced defeat again in the All-Ireland semi-final. In December 1992, following a National League game against Down, Patterson retired from inter-county hurling.

	All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship - Silver Jubilee Team (1971-1996)
1 Niall Patterson \| 2 Tony Maher \| 3 Conor Hayes \| 4 John Horgan \| 5 Joe Hennessy \| 6 Frank Cummins \| 7 Denis Coughlan \| 8 Gerald McCarthy \| 9 Joe Cooney \| 10 Francis Loughnane \| 11 Ray Cummins \| 12 Ger Fennelly \| 13 Charlie McCarthy \| 14 Tony Doran \| 15 Liam Fennelly \|